New ways to motivate

For the last month, okay maybe two months, I have been going back and forth trying to motivate myself to get back into the swing of things and train for another half marathon and eventually a marathon. January felt too cliche, like a new resolution that I was bound to break. So here we are at February and I'm realizing that time isn't moving any slower, I'm not getting any closer to reaching my goals and it's time to just buck up, put on my big girl panties and get out there.

Pinterest has been my friend.

i.e. Home Workouts..

Myfitnesspal App on my iPod/computer/kindle. 
Getting back into the habit of writing everything that goes in down, otherwise I just don't remember what I've eaten!

Reminding myself that Exercise is a Stress reliever too. 
Life these days feels so focused on just getting through the day at work. A lot of times, I get home and I just don't want to do anything but eat, drink a glass of wine, go to bed, watch TV and just NOT move. It's really hard when I feel so exhausted and burnt out to just get out and go for a run, or go to the gym. Lately its been working for me to tell myself...instead of thinking about running, just go. All I am doing is making myself feel guilty for Not making it there, which is adding to my stress.

Providing a reward system. 
While I was doing my treadmill workout today I was thinking of rewards that would be a good incentive for me. Getting a massage, going out to a movie with my man, buying myself a new workout shirt or pair of pants. I'm sure this isn't new to you but it seemed like a good idea today---having a jar whether it contains marbles or quarters or dollars or whatever, something that counts how many workouts you do. And then make a rule- for every workout you do (must be over 30 minutes) you can put a marble in it and when you reach a certain number you get something for it. Or maybe its for every mile you run you get a point. Either way, its holding yourself accountable & rewarding yourself for your good efforts!

Focus on the number of workouts 
Find out whats holding you back. For me, I feel pressured by the fact that I'm only running 1 or 2 miles in a workout, or I'm only burning 250 calories instead of 500. I feel like I'm not meeting expectations. And because of that it makes me want to sit down in the middle of the road and give up instead of just continuing on. So I'm taking it week by week. This week I'm focusing on just getting to the gym and putting the time in. It doesnt matter what I am doing. I could be walking for 45 minutes, I could be doing 10 minutes of this, 10 minutes of that and 10 minutes of something else. All that matters is... I'm there. I am taking the time to do it. Eventually I will graduate to the mode where I can see that my efforts are paying off and at that point I get motivated to work harder and be stronger. But for now, I need the extra push to just be there and not have that extra weight on my shoulders making me feel guilty for not doing enough.

Find Healthy Living blogs that motivate you
Tina's blog- Carrots N Cake, has been a long time motivator for me. Its fun to read about other people's lives and how they deal with their own struggles with healthy living. Plus it makes me want to do better, gives me ideas for myself and it's always nice when they are enjoyable to read. 


My pact for the week is to just get the workouts in. 30 minutes at a time, til I feel like I'm getting somewhere. :) Wish me luck.